Proposed laws to regulate artistes impractical – Segawa

Different artistes and stakeholders in the entertainment industry recently convened for an emergency meeting in Munyonyo, Kampala. What was the emergency?
We called for a meeting two weeks back [last month] to discuss quite a number of things. First, to discuss the new laws that are still in draft form. The second reason is to find out who exactly represented the artistes and in what capacity. Do they have the mandate to represent us?
We, therefore, agreed to draft two letters, one directed to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Gender. Because it was [junior Gender and Culture] minister Mutuuzo who fuelled these rules, we are inquiring if it’s her ministry that is responsible for bringing these laws. The second letter was directed to the Federation of Performing Artistes inquiring about the roles and mandate of their association.

Any progress so far?
We wrote letters but it’s not been an easy process because we had to send them to our lawyers to go through them. We also had to look for the concerned people to give the letters, especially the one that was supposed to be given to the federation because they have no offices. We were told to hand it to Ms Mariam Ndagire at Bat Valley Theatre on their behalf. We are still waiting for their reply.
On the second letter to the ministry, we are still waiting for them too, but if they fail, we shall write another letter to the Ministry of ICT that we think we are answerable to, and the ministry that has to first work on the old Act of 1943 to seek audience and explain whatever has happened.

What will happen if they don’t reply?
We have decided to give them seven more days and if they still refuse to reply to us, we shall call another meeting of all the people we represent and communicate what is happening. We shall then decide the next step from there.

There are so many associations in the entertainment industry. Which particular one did you send the letter to?
In our thinking, we believe it’s the Federation of Performing Artistes in Uganda. We asked for the memorandum; when they last sat in a general meeting and so on. It’s the body that says it represents all artistes.

Do you recognise it?
We would like to know if it’s there legally. Those are some of the questions that we are trying to get answers to. Other associations represent specific groups like comedians have their associations. Musicians also have theirs and film too. That is why in the first meeting we had different representatives.

Why act now. Should we think you have all decided to act because of the proposed laws?
We have always thought that the people who say they represent us were working. But this is like the proverbial last straw that breaks the camel’s back. We have been in disarray, but when this happened, it didn’t happen to just one section, but all of us. We were all rounded up.

What specific section don’t you agree with?
All of it, and I even don’t want to talk about it.

Why don’t you agree with these regulations?
Because everything that was written in those pages is in the laws of Uganda. For example, every company has to be registered. I have a company that deals in production; I have more than 20 youth so if they are to travel, should they register on individual basis? I’m still nurturing them so should I just abandon them because they don’t have certificates?

Why do you think these new laws might be introduced?
I don’t know, but it’s not the first time laws are being introduced. Every sector is receiving new laws; its government policy. I think those people in those ministries don’t have things to do. They just want to show whoever is responsible that they are working. Let me give you an example of the section that states that no one will be allowed on stage after using drugs. How will they do this? Are they going to plant a doctor and a medical kit at every event?

We have been seeing artistes getting sued for failing to turn up for events. One of the sections in the proposed laws tackles exactly that. Don’t you think it is fair to regulate such artistes?

You cannot limit someone’s performance because he’s using his art. It’s free trade. There is a law that tackles such cases. Before anything, they sign contracts and for breach of contracts there is a penalty. If I fail to meet my contract obligations, I’m supposed to be answerable somewhere.

What is the way forward?
I would like to clean our leadership. We believe that we can impose our own laws so long as people believe in the organisation that rules us.

The top most guys should seek people’s mandate and if they do, we can make an annual general meeting to make the deliberations to decide how they will work and for a certain period of time and when they fail, we replace them. Every organisation does the same. That is democracy. It must stand the test of time by doing what is right.

What if that fails?
If it fails, we shall look at the Constitution and what it says. And if we are part of that Constitution, we shall seek guidance from our lawyers.